Gabriel Iglesias is a funny man on stage, and in person, too, but in an interview he can also be reflective, and downright philosophical. That was the treat in store for me when I talked with him on June 24, 2014. We talked his weight loss (he’s still fluffy, though), why he wanted to do a concert film despite the pressures that come with that decision, and why a fast-food-based cake is not everything it’s cracked up to be. He also talked about the evolution of his comedy style from rough to (mostly) family friendly, his collection of Hawaiian shirts, the importance of being afraid, and what he considers comedically off-limits, and why. Politics, religion, sure, but there’s a third topic he avoids in order not to offend that I didn’t expect (and don’t want to spoil for you). High point for me? When he did his Bill Clinton impression, and it was like the ex-POTUS was in the room with me. We finished up with a glimpse into his relationship with fellow comedian Paul Rodriguez, a man Iglesias is known to do impressions of on and off the stage.

Iglesias’ film discovers what we all have in common, and making us laugh about it. Iglesias should know, he’s travelled to 23 countries performing his stand-up in places as far flung as Saudi Arabia and Bakersfield. Known for his inclusive humor, sage advice about how to deal with the cops, and his love of cake, he’s also an actor who terrorized Channing Tatum in MAGIC MIKE, and messed with Marlon Wayans’ head in A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 and in 2015 he will be heard in the animated film, EL AMERICANOS. On Television he brought us the stand-up specials Gabriel Iglesias: Hot and Fluffy (2007), and Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution. He’s also the man who was there when a three-tiered bacon, McNugget cake appeared in the universe.